It was a record breaking day at Aberdeen yesterday, but unfortunately for the Irish, they were on the receiving end of a humiliating defeat by New Zealand.

The margin of the loss was a world record 290 runs, as the opening pair of Brendon McCullum and James Marshall added 274 for the first wicket, 12 short of the record held by Tharanga and Jayasuriya who put on 286 against England in 2006.

The pair were simply awesome against a badly depleted Ireland side, who strugged to contain quality batsmen playing at the top of their powers.

A record equally 18 sixes were hit, as McCullum (166) and Marshall (161) entertained the sparse crowd with some exhilarating strokeplay. Chances were few and far between, with McCullum twice just evading Kyle McCallan with lofted skiers off Peter Connell. Connell also put down a difficult return chance off Marshall, but thereafter the batsmen were totally dominant.

Their stand was eventually ended by a quite brilliant catch on the cover boundary by a leaping Ryan Haire. There was no respite for the Irish as Ross Taylor proceeded to smash 59 not out from just 23 balls, as the ball kept disappearing into various streets surrounding the ground.

The final total of 402 for 2 was the sixth highest of all time, as Ireland visibly wilted in the face of the Black Caps onslaught.

Needing 145 to avoid the record defeat, the Irish got off to a fine start, adding 28 for the first wicket in just 4 overs, but once Strydom chopped on, wickets fell at an alarming rate.

It took a defiant 22 from Peter Connell batting at number 10 to get Ireland over the 100 mark, but barely so, as they were dismissed in the 29th over for 112.

A day to forget for Irish cricket, but hopefully they will bounce back today in their clash with Scotland.